H.M.S. NEPTUNE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3610, 20 March 1880, Page 2

H.M.S. NEPTUNE.

Her Maj»styjs ship Neptune, after undergoing many vicissitudes and changes, is announced as likely to be fit for the pennant by the end of March The Neptune has more powerful engines than any ship in the navy, the indicated energy of her machinery being set down at 9000 horse-power, but so many years have lapsed since the launching of the monster ironclad that the metal structure must inevitably have suffered, Moreover, as the Independences, it will be remembered the ship was considerably damaged at the period of its launch, and for some timo remained in the Thames in a half aunken condition near Blackball. In these circumstances the Government permitted the contractors to take the ship into one • of the dockß in the Woolw'ch yard, and here she remained until made seaworthy again. The Brazilian Government, in the meantime, appeared to have repented their bargain, and were desirous of laying out their mon y upon something better than a masted turret-ship, and an arrangement was come to whereby the British nation became the possessors of the craft. The sum paid was upwards of six hundred thousand pound?, and the Independencia b came the Neptune. At the time of purchase the craft was armed with heavy Whitworth guns, but these have been removed and replaced by muzzle-loaders of the ordinary Woolwich pattern, other alteraturns of an equally important nature bein r carried out at the same time. In fact, a very large sum has been required, besides that originally spent, to fit the vessel for the British navy. The Neptune is heavily armored, and carries six big guvs in her turrecs and batteries, after the manner of the Monarch. She is a masted turret ship, a rare exception to the majority of British battle ships. The Neptune will be fitted as a flagship, and wilt probably proceed to the Mediterranean, doubtless relieving the Alexandra or Temeiaire, both of which are shortly to return home for repair. In thia case she will hoist the flast of Sir Beauchamp Seymour, the officer selected to succe d Admiral Hornby as Naval Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean.